Pope Leo XIV prays for Damascus bombing victims, pleads for attention on Syria, and urges nations in Iran, Israel & Palestine to reject revenge and choose peace.
Vatican City, June 25, 2025, Gaudium Press – After delivering his catechesis at today’s General Audience and summarizing it in multiple languages, Pope Leo XIV “assured his prayer for the victims of the terrorist attack against the Greek‑Orthodox community in the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, which took place last Sunday.”
Turning to ongoing global tensions, he invited the international community to “not turn its gaze away from this country [Syria]” and renewed his plea for peace, specifically referring to conflicts in Iran, Israel, and Palestine. He quoted from Isaiah: “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” . He urged all to “reject arrogance and revenge” and “resolutely choose the path of dialogue, diplomacy, and peace”
At the end of his address, the Holy Father “urged the warring parties in the Israel‑Iran conflict to ‘reject the logic of bullying and revenge’ and to choose dialogue and diplomacy.”
Videos circulating worldwide show the families of the deceased carrying portraits of their loved ones inside churches. Several of the victims were buried yesterday.
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
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